Hi, I am also going to be on St. Thomas Easter week. We are staying at a condo on the East End and I have been planning for our first trip since August. I just talked to a woman in my dance class who was wearing a St. Thomas T-shirt. She and her family - two children stayed at Watergate Villas 4 weeks ago. She liked it very much. She said it was clean, nice people, with lots of activities for the kids. She said it was nothing fancy though but perfect for their family. They rented a car and did visit other beaches. She said the car was a must have.

If you want to know about any boat trips to visit other islands I have tons of web sites that I can send you to look into. You will need to make reservations for them now. Easter week is going to be busy. Send me a Private Message.

I am counting down from 5 weeks and 5 days.!!!!

Abeclochie:

I have some experience with all 3 of your choices.

We visited and purchased a condo at Point Pleasant 2 years ago. The view and "resort" atmosphere is what sold us. Some units are better than others, but I have personnally viewed 10 - 12 (Superior) units and found all of them to be in very good condition. We rent out ours through Antilles Resorts which is located at Point Pleasant. Antilles has certain requirements that owners need to meet for them to include the unit in their rental program. If you're renting from a private party then you'll get something that may or may not be acceptable. btw..the top of the hill is the best place to be at Point Pleasant. The downside (if you want to call it a downside) is that the property is very hilly, but a shuttle is provided by Antilles to get you down to the beach (Pineapple & Sugar beaches). Coki beach is just a short walk from PP. Also, the two restaurants are not open for breakfast so you'll need to pick up breakfast supplies from the Marina Market, etc. in Red Hook. Teenagers may be bored at this location if you just stay at the property rather than visit other STT beaches/attractions, but the same goes for all three locations.

Sapphire Beach is a great location. Just walk right onto the beach. The two units that we viewed here were very good. A business associate just purchased one in D Building. He also rents his out through Antilles. Teens will (probably) like this place more, since the units are right on the beach. As far as crowded beaches go....if you have ever been to a New Jersey beach...that's crowded....Sapphire doesn't even come near that.

Watergate....viewed one unit here 2 years ago...this is more (imho) a residential area...not really what I would call a resort. The Bolongo beach is a hike...down hill.

Sizes of units...our Superior Suite at PP is about 850 S.F. with a 400 S.F. wrap around balcony (some are a bit smaller). A typical suite at Sapphire is about 500 S.F. with a very small balcony (they remind me of a large hotel room with a kitchenette). The Watergate unit that we viewed (2 Bedroom unit) was about 1000 S.F. and was very nice.

Also, where ever you stay it is suggested that you rent a car. It is convenient, not to say less expensive. With 4 people you'll be charged for each person in a taxi...that can run up quite a bill.

Hope this helps.

F.I.

Thanks for the good advice! If it were just my Husband and I, I think we would love it at Point Pleasant, but with two 17 year olds, it's probably best we keep by (or on) the beach! Building D is the one on Sapphire we are looking at - 2nd floor, but not sure which end of the builing. Bluwater of course gave some very valuable input! Thanks to her!
Good point about getting things arranged early! I'm guessing that especially goes for car rentals. My preference would be to not be there that week, much cheaper after, but that's when the kids are out of school in MN! I'm sure we'll have a good time anyway! Does anybody know what to expect for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in terms of businesses/shops being open? We actually leave on Good Friday, so all we really need to worry about is returning the rental car!
Thanks to all!

Thanks for the good advice! If it were just my Husband and I, I think we would love it at Point Pleasant, but with two 17 year olds, it's probably best we keep by (or on) the beach! Building D is the one on Sapphire we are looking at - 2nd floor, but not sure which end of the building. Bluwater of course gave some very valuable input! Thanks to her!
Good point about getting things arranged early! I'm guessing that especially goes for car rentals. My preference would be to not be there that week, much cheaper after, but that's when the kids are out of school in MN! I'm sure we'll have a good time anyway! Does anybody know what to expect for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in terms of businesses/shops being open? We actually leave on Good Friday, so all we really need to worry about is returning the rental car!
Thanks to all!

Thanks for the good advice! If it were just my Husband and I, I think we would love it at Point Pleasant, but with two 17 year olds, it's probably best we keep by (or on) the beach! Building D is the one on Sapphire we are looking at - 2nd floor, but not sure which end of the building. Bluwater of course gave some very valuable input! Thanks to her!
Good point about getting things arranged early! I'm guessing that especially goes for car rentals. My preference would be to not be there that week, much cheaper after, but that's when the kids are out of school in MN! I'm sure we'll have a good time anyway! Thanks to all!

IMHO, teenagers would love Bolongo- lots of younger people activity. Also, you do have a view of St Croix, Buck Island, French Cap! 😉

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are government holidays (no separation of church and state here!) You cannot buy liquor (and sometimes beer and wine, depending on who is interpreting the law) in restaurants on Good Friday, until after 4:30 or so. Stores downtown will be open, for the most part.

I'd go with Sapphire since your teens are 17. Better beach, and they have the best beach party on island on Sunday afternoons. It's also closer to Coki where they've got the jet skis and other water activities. It's also easier and quicker to get to St John (and East End) from Sapphire, and you know they'll want to go to St John. The teens will also have prettier pictures to share if you stay at Sapphire.

I have not stayed at any of the resorts that you have mentioned - but, here is something else that may be of interest to you.

Many sea excursions go directly out of Sapphire Beach Marina. We took a fantastic trip to the British Virgin Islands with New Horizons II our of Sapphire Beach Marina. Also, many other excursions go out from that Marina.

Of course, for the BVI trip you would all need passports or birth certicates plus photo ID. (I just checked their site & it will be passports only as of 12/06.

I think the girls would particularly love going thru The Baths in Virgin Gorda. It is a great trip - bet there are wonderful sunset cruises, etc from that location, as well.

Just thought I would throw that out for you.

Of course, even if you stay somewhere else - you can always drive or take a taxi to this Marina, as well.

Good Luck - Have an awesome time!

Sue